Hello,

Writing with a last minute question about the 2021 burns in the northwest BWCA. I found a separate thread with maps of the various burns that occurred in 2021.


2021 burn maps

I'm considering EP12 Little Vermilion Lake or EP 16 Moose/Portage River North for a trip this year. The tentative route would follow the Canadian border through Lac La Croix, Iron Lake, Crooked Lake, and Basswood River.

The burn maps show large areas of the northwest BWCA were closed during the 2021 burns. Do you know if the campsites and portages along the border were damaged in these fires? Asking because we're not really interested in multiple days going through a fresh burn. If it makes a difference, our trip is planned for the second or third week in May.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Many areas closed due to the threat of advancing fire, or smoke, or difficulty getting out if certain areas might burn. Little actual burn damage in those areas.

The closures were for safety, but have very little to do with what actually burned. The burn maps show the points where there were fires and they are minimal compared with the closure zones. It was so dry they didn't want people in the area if it DID burn, and there were burns across the border in Canada that had high potential to cross into the closed areas.

No burns on the US side on your planned route.

Agreed w/ the others...no burn issues.

I'd rather start at EP 14 or 16 over 12 unless you want to paddle the long river stretch along border to start.

Thanks to all who provided their input. Ultimately I got a permit for EP 16 and will be paddling out to EP 25 Moose Lake. Going in mid-September with the hope (confidence?) that the portages and river sections are cleared of deadfall by then.